THE affidavit and testimony of self-confessed “bagman” Ramil L. Madriaga have strong credibility in the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, given the depth and consistency of his sworn statements.
This was according to House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Jude Acidre, who said the level of detail in Madriaga’s supplemental affidavit makes it difficult to dismiss as fabricated.
“Kung tutuusin, baka nga masyado pang maraming detalye ang naibigay niya. Imposibleng gawa-gawa ang ganitong klaseng salaysay. Dire-diretso ang kwento at malinaw na malalim ang alam niya,” Acidre said in a statement on Sunday.
Madriaga, who appeared before the House Committee on Justice, affirmed under oath his affidavit detailing the alleged handling and movement of confidential funds linked to the vice president.
Acidre said Madriaga’s account is bolstered by his close working relationship with the vice president and her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, giving him direct knowledge of the transactions he described.
“Hindi ito galing sa labas o haka-haka lang. Siya mismo ang nagsasabing bahagi siya ng proseso, kaya may personal at direktang kaalaman siya sa mga pangyayari,” Acidre said.
The House leader also pointed out that Madriaga presented physical evidence, including checks, to support his claims, lending further weight to his testimony.
Acidre stressed that the affidavit goes beyond general allegations and instead provides specific, traceable details.
“Hindi ito puro paratang lang. May mga partikular na halaga, petsa, lugar, at paraan ng paggalaw ng pera. Kapag ganito ka-detalye, hindi mo basta masasabi na imbento lang,” Acidre said.
In his affidavit, Madriaga described how cash was allegedly delivered and distributed, and how certain expenditures were justified under confidential fund use.
Acidre said these assertions gain more weight when viewed alongside audit findings flagging deficiencies in the documentation and justification of confidential fund spending.
“Kapag pinagsama ang testimonya at ang audit findings, may lumalabas na malinaw na pattern. Hindi ito magkakahiwalay na kwento dahil nagkakatugma ang mga detalye,” Acidre said.
Acidre also noted that Madriaga executed his statements under oath and submitted a waiver of bank secrecy, indicating readiness to have his claims examined.
He said that while the allegations remain subject to full legal scrutiny, the testimony should be taken seriously.
“Kapag ang isang testigo ay nagbibigay ng tuloy-tuloy, malinaw, at detalyadong salaysay, obligasyon nating seryosohin ito. Dito magsisimula ang paglalatag ng katotohanan,” Acidre said.
The House Committee on Justice is currently evaluating the evidence to determine whether there is probable cause to elevate the impeachment complaints against Duterte to the Senate.
